The High Court has approved a $10.9 million settlement in a class action against Hino Motors Limited (HML) relating to certain diesel trucks sold in New Zealand with a build date between 2010 and 2022.
The settlement covers a range of Hino 300 Series, 500 Series and 700 Series models and follows claims alleging misleading fuel efficiency and emissions representations, along with breaches of consumer protection obligations.
The class action was brought by Shine Lawyers NZ on behalf of thousands of Hino truck owners and lessees. It followed admissions by Hino Motors in 2022 that misconduct had occurred during emissions and fuel efficiency certification testing in Japan.
The settlement applies to an estimated 10,384 Hino diesel vehicles sold or imported into New Zealand between 2010 and 2025. Of these, about 8,243 were imported by Hino New Zealand, while a further 2,141 entered the country as used imports.
Under the court-approved settlement, Hino Japan will pay $10.9m without any admission of liability. The payment will settle all claims by participating class members who do not opt out of the proceeding.
Justice Blanchard said the settlement represented a fair and reasonable compromise.
“Having considered the information I have been provided with, including the confidential material, I consider that proposed settlement reflects a realistic assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the claim.
“It provides a certain outcome and avoids the litigation risk of pursuing the claim, including the risk that the claim will not succeed.”
The settlement follows a similar Australian class action against Hino that resulted in an AU$87m settlement in 2025. The New Zealand court noted the local settlement was broadly comparable on a per-vehicle basis.
Heidi Gwynne, solicitor in the class actions team at Shine Lawyers NZ, says the proceeding followed Hino Motor’s public admission in 2022 that it had falsified fuel efficiency and emissions testing data to secure vehicle certification in Japan
“This is an important result for the class members we have represented in this proceeding.”
Gwynne says the settlement marks a significant milestone for the law firm.
“Securing approval of this settlement in Shine Lawyers NZ’s first class action in New Zealand is a significant milestone for clients. It delivers a meaningful outcome for owners and lessees affected by the issues raised in this case.”
Under the court-approved settlement, Shine Lawyers NZ will now begin the settlement administration process, with registered class members to be contacted regarding next steps.
A spokesperson for Hino Motors Limited says the parties agreed in principle to settle the New Zealand class action proceeding and the Court has now approved the settlement.
“The settlement agreement resolves the class action claims against Hino in New Zealand in their entirety,” the spokesperson says.
“HML believes the settlement is in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders, including in order to minimise the impact that the proceedings may have on its business.”
The spokesperson says the settlement involves no finding or admission of liability.
